Portal Site 'Sewing Factory Encyclopedia: Naninuu?' Launching on July 22, 2026, at 6:00 PM JST

Open the encyclopedia, explore, learn, and become curious to know more.

Hello. My name is Takumi Akita from 'Jouro,' operating under the title of Factory Planner.

We are pleased to announce the launch of 'Sewing Factory Encyclopedia: Naninuu?' on July 22 at 6:00 PM. This portal site, themed around 'knowing' the sewing industry, introduces factories and people who take pride in sewing.

Through careful interviews, we aim to uncover values that have previously remained unarticulated within companies and widely share new perspectives of sewing factories.

Logo of 'Sewing Factory Encyclopedia: Naninuu?' Web page image Inside page 'What is Naninuu?' Web page image 'Know the Sewing Place'

The domestic production ratio for clothing in Japan is currently only 1.1%. Amid the dominance of low-cost overseas manufacturing, the number of domestic sewing factories has declined to one-quarter of its level 30 years ago. While skilled artisans across the country continue to craft with pride and expertise, challenges such as lack of successors and talent drain threaten the continuity of technical knowledge. Yet, opportunities for these factories to share their voices with society remain limited.

The apparel industry follows a flow known as 'upstream (materials),' 'midstream (textiles),' and 'downstream (sewing and sales).' The upstream to midstream sectors—from yarn production to fabric creation through dyeing, weaving, and knitting—are known as 'textile regions.' These areas host annual exhibitions and maintain regular exchanges with manufacturers and designers. Recently, through regional collaborations, open factory events have been held, allowing not only industry professionals but also the general public to experience local craftsmanship.

In contrast, the sewing industry—the final stage of production—lacks a defined 'industrial region.' It consists mainly of small and medium-sized factories and workshops scattered across the country, each with unique skills and characteristics. Despite their high technical capabilities, individual factories often struggle to gain visibility and public recognition due to limited outreach capacity.

'Sewing Factory Encyclopedia: Naninuu?' was created to address these challenges.

Initially, Akita from Jouro will conduct interviews to uncover and share the rediscovered charm of these factories. By raising awareness, we aim to foster new connections and grow the encyclopedia together with the featured companies.

Our goal is to gradually create opportunities for 'those who plan manufacturing' and 'those who make products' to understand each other. We believe these cumulative efforts will serve as a catalyst for revitalizing Japan's sewing industry and enhancing brand value. At launch, four companies will be featured, with plans to expand to 20 companies by 2026–2027.

Beyond this, our ultimate goal is to draw attention from both domestic and international audiences to Japan's sewing factories.

Jouro | Factory Planner Takumi Akita

Through my involvement in manufacturing, I have been fortunate to work with many domestic production sites. Repeated visits have revealed various challenges—on-site issues, inter-company conflicts, and concerns about talent and technical succession—faced by individual companies. One clear realization emerged: no matter how brilliant the ideas from the 'creative' side, truly outstanding Japanese manufacturing cannot exist without a rich and supportive 'production environment.' This insight inspired the launch of 'Jouro'—an initiative to support the skilled makers I've worked with and will continue to collaborate with. Through 'Naninuu?,' I aim to amplify the voices and presence of those working on the factory floor and share the value and excellence of domestic manufacturing with a broader audience.